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“Amazing” plans for heritage project press ahead with council help
A multi-million pound heritage initiative is gathering pace in Brymbo – and has picked up the pace with help from Wrexham Council.
The Brymbo Heritage Project is already looking at a busy 2017, with a number of plans afoot to gradually redevelop history and heritage assets in Brymbo to turn it into a world-class site, taking advantage of its rich industrial past.
The project has some far-reaching goals in store for the village – including the restoration and reuse of the former Brymbo Iron and Steelworks site, and the exploration and conservation of the nearby fossil forest – a major site of geological interest with fossils dating back more than 300 million years.
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In February this year, the council’s Executive Board agreed to support the trust’s proposals, and also committed the support of council officers to the planned developments.
The decision did not cost the council any money, but gives the project the weight it needs to push on for applications for funding and grants from larger bodies.
Shortly after gaining council support, the project attracted nearly £2million in funding from the Big Lottery Fund’s Create Your Space programme, allowing the project to kick-start its Roots to Shoots initiative, which looks at ways of making use of additional former industrial open spaces in and around the village.
The funding has already helped the project secure three new jobs, with two development officers and a finance officer appointed for its Roots to Shoots plans.
“Incredibly grateful to Wrexham Council for support”
Gary Brown, Heritage Officer for the project, said: “We’re incredibly grateful for the support we received from Wrexham Council earlier this year, as it gave us the seal of approval we needed to pursue large-scale funding.
“The council’s support has helped us to manage the flow of funds and get started on work sooner, rather than later.
“We have some great ambitions for Brymbo and the surrounding area – we want to do all we can to bring to light the area’s incredibly rich heritage, and use that to support its continued development.
“We benefit greatly from attractions such as the fossil forest and the steelworks, and we‘re really keen to tie both assets together – to remind people that it’s Brymbo’s geological prehistory, as evidenced in the fossil forest, which gave it the resources it needed to help power it through the Industrial Revolution through to the present day.”
“Look forward to watching the project progress”
Cllr Hugh Jones, Lead Member for Communities, Partnerships, Community Safety and Public Protection, said: “The work which the Brymbo Heritage Project has been able to carry out since we gave them our backing has been very encouraging, and I want to congratulate them on the work they’ve undertaken to date.
“They’ve already put a lot of good groundwork in place, and that’ll certainly be of help to them as the project progresses – especially as further funding comes in.
“I look forward to watching this project progress and I’m very glad we’ve been able to provide them with the support we have.”
Cllr Paul Rogers, ward member for Brymbo, said: “This project has been building up a good pace for some time, so it’s very pleasing to see them finally able to make progress towards what promise to be some amazing improvements here in Brymbo.
“The heritage of the area has always been a bit of a hidden asset, so it’s excellent to see moves in place which will help bring it into the limelight.”
The Brymbo Heritage Project will hold its next open day on Saturday, July 29 – featuring guided walks around the fossil forest, industrial heritage tours, narrow-gauge railway rides, talks, displays and others.
Volunteering sessions are also open every Sunday at the Machine Shop on the former works site of Brymbo Steelworks, on New High Street, Brymbo, between 10am and 1pm.
For more information on the range of work carried out by the Heritage Project, visit: http://www.brymboheritage.co.uk
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July 27, 2017
Check our revised telephone hours for public numbers
As more and more of you choose to do business with us online, we’ve seen a drop in phone-calls after 5pm.
So we’ve revised our telephone opening hours for certain numbers.
From September the new hours for the numbers below will be 8.30am-5pm.
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Numbers affected are:
292066 – Social care services for adults and older people
298990 – Business rates and licensing
298991 – School admissions, term dates, free school meals
298992 – Council tax account queries, council tax support, payments, benefits
298994 – Planning permission, advice and guidance
298996 – Blue badges, bus passes, school transport
298989 – Waste collection, street cleanliness, street lighting
298997 – More services including births, deaths and marriages, voting, job vacancies.
For those with hearing loss and/or speech impairment who wish to use Text Relay service, please put 18001 before the number you want.
You can still contact the council for urgent enquiries on 01978 292055 from 5pm.
The Housing Repairs number 298993 will continue to operate 8.30am-5.30pm.
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July 26, 2017
Could your food make you ill? 4 ways to dodge food-poisoning
Food poisoning is pretty grim.
And with summer in full swing – and the good old barby being wheeled out – it’s important to take extra care with your food.
Cases of food poisoning traditionally increase during the summer – and the warmer the weather gets, the more people tend to get sick 🙁
So to help you stay safe, here are four simple tips based on advice from the Food Standards Agency and the NHS.
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1. Cook the heck out of it
Cook your food thoroughly – particularly your meat. Make sure it’s piping hot and thoroughly cooked all the way through.
Any pink in the meat or in the juices could harbour germs – and could be a one-way ticket to food-poisoning misery. Yuck.
Basically, proper cooking kills the bugs.
2. Keep raw and cooked stuff separate (they don’t get along)
A few months ago Loose Women presenter Katie Price got some stick after posting a picture of her fridge contents on Instagram.
It appeared to show uncooked meat stored next to cheese…prompting lots of advice from worried followers.
Even if you don’t post pics of your fridge on Instagram (what…you don’t do that?!), it’s important to keep uncooked food away from ready-to-eat stuff (like dairy) to prevent cross-contamination.
It’s a good idea to keep raw meat covered and at the bottom of your fridge.
And don’t use the same chopping board or knife for raw and ready-to-eat stuff.
3. Store it at the right temperature (er…stay cool?)
Food that needs to be kept chilled should be kept in the fridge.
It’s worth checking your fridge is running at the right temperature too (below 5C).
If you’re going on a picnic or taking a packed lunch somewhere, keep it in the fridge until the last minute and use a cool-bag when you take it with you.
4. Wash your hands (and be a mean, clean, food-handling machine)
Last but not least, always keep your hands clean…and wash them thoroughly both before and after you handle food.
If you’re preparing uncooked meat, give your hands a real good wash before you touch anything else…or you might spread germs.
Cllr Hugh Jones, Wrexham Council’s lead member for public protection, said: “Food poisoning is a miserable experience and so easily avoided.
“By following a few simple steps in the kitchen, you can drastically reduce the risk of food poisoning this summer.”
For more food safety advice, visit the NHS website.
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July 26, 2017
Chief on the move
Dr Helen Paterson, Wrexham Council’s Chief Executive, has announced she has been offered the position of Chief Executive with Walsall Council.
Helen joined Wrexham Council from Sunderland in 2011 and has been at the helm of the Council during some of the most financially challenging times in local government. Her priorities of growing strong communities whilst re-framing the Council’s relationship with the public and local economy are at the heart of the council’s planning processes and are entrenched in its Council Plan.
Helen is also influential in shaping innovative practice in Wales and England particularly within governance arrangements; regeneration; alternative delivery models’ social care’ health and education.
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“honour and a privilege to serve the people of Wrexham”
Speaking about the offer of the top spot at Walsall Council, Helen, said:
“Whilst I am clearly delighted to have been offered this position I will nevertheless be very sad to leave Wrexham which has been my home and place of work for the past 6 years. It has been an honour and a privilege to serve the people of Wrexham during this time. My new appointment is expected to begin in the autumn and there’s lots to be getting on with until that time. I will continue to serve Wrexham as I have always done until my very last day with this authority.”
“worked with tireless commitment to Wrexham and its residents”
Cllr Mark Pritchard, Leader of Wrexham Council, said:
“I am extremely pleased for Helen and wish her all the very best in her future role in Walsall. Helen has always worked with tireless commitment to Wrexham and its residents during her time with us. Her work here has seen us through some very challenging financial times and we have been very fortunate to have such an able and talented individual at the head of our authority. I know Helen will continue to work with me to ensure a smooth transition for her expected departure date in the autumn.”
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July 26, 2017
Come and see a hands-on exhibition on Ancient Wisdom
If you like puzzles and challenges, science and engineering, and experiments then Wrexham Museum’s summer exhibition will appeal to you.
Wrexham Museum is hosting Ancient Wisdom, a ‘hands-on’ exhibition for adults and children on the technological achievements of the ancient world. Those Ancient Egyptians, Romans, Greeks, Sumerians and Babylonians had some great thinkers and inventors and in this exhibition you will be able to try out their inventions for yourself.
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The exhibition’s interactives include: Archimedes’ Screw, catapults; siege engines, aqueducts and arches, Roman signals, Egyptian locks and many more challenges. The exhibition is designed for families with children, but adults can just as easily enjoy the activities.
The exhibition opens on Saturday, July 22 and admission is free. The show is on until September 2.
“Very hands-on event”
Cllr Hugh Jones, Lead Member for Communities, Partnerships, Public Protection and Community Safety, said: “This will be a very engaging event for all those families looking to keep their children active during the summer holidays.
“The inventions and technologies of ancient civilisations are incredibly interesting and this will be a very hands-on event where children will have the chance to have a go at testing those technologies for themselves.”
If you would like to be a ‘gallery hero’ while the exhibition is on, welcoming visitors and helping those who find some of the practical experiments a bit challenging, please email museumvolunteers@wrexham.gov.uk before July 28.
For more information, telephone 01978 297 460 or see the museum’s Facebook page.
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July 26, 2017
Find out about our free play activities on offer throughout the summer holidays
Keeping the kids busy, active and occupied during the holidays can often pose a problem for parents.
And a lot of the time, the activities offered can cost an arm and a leg – especially if you have more than one child.
Luckily, Wrexham Council offers free play activities throughout the summer holidays.
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And all activities are staffed play trained play professionals.
To find out exactly what we’ve got on during the summer, a full list of activities is available here.
“Playschemes will give children plenty to do”
Cllr Paul Rogers, Lead Member for Youth Services and Anti-Poverty, said: “Six weeks is a long time – and to bored youngsters, it can seem a lot longer. To worn-out and busy parents, it can seem even longer than that!
“But our huge range of play schemes, thanks to funding from Community Councils, will make sure children have plenty to do during the summer holidays, with plenty on offer for all.
“This is a good example of partnership working between the County Borough Youth and Play services and Community Councils.”
In addition to the range of great activities already on offer, the Play Development Team has just confirmed it will run a brand new play scheme in Cefn Mawr and Acrefair.
These sessions will run from 11am until 1pm on Mondays and Wednesdays at Plas Kynaston Park, Cefn Mawr, and at the same time on Fridays at the school field in Acrefair.
Don’t forget Play Day!
And don’t forget – Wrexham Council will hold its annual celebration of the national Play Day on Wednesday, August 2.
Everyone is welcome and it promises to be a very busy day chock-full of activities – so don’t miss out!
And of course, the great outdoors is always free – so make sure to make good use of the summer weather and visit Wrexham’s Green Flag Award-winning parks.
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July 26, 2017
Don’t fall for this con by cold callers
Trading Standards is asking you to be extra vigilant this summer following recent cold-calling incidences.
In one case they prevented an elderly couple handing over £28,000 for a new roof that didn’t need replacing after being targeted by cold-callers.
Sadly, in another incident, £10,000 was lost as Trading Standards were notified too late to be able to intervene.
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In each incident, the elderly person was told by a cold-caller that they have some loose or cracked roof tiles or needed the guttering clearing.
They were then persuaded to have the tiles replaced or gutters cleaned usually for a small amount of money – such as £20.
But once they have agreed for the work to go ahead, the cold-caller then advises the elderly person that further ‘urgent work’ needs carrying out, such as replacing rotting roof timbers or felting.
The price of the work then escalates – often into thousands of pounds – and they feel intimidated into having the work done…handing over large sums of money for work that often didn’t need doing in the first place or is of little value.
Tradesmen removed from property
Cllr Hugh Jones, Lead Member for Communities, Partnerships, Public Protection and Community Safety, said: “These are worrying incidents and Trading Standards officers and local police have carried out several rapid-response visits to elderly consumer’s homes to provide advice and reassurance, and also to remove the tradesmen from the property before the consumer has been forced to hand over large sums of money.
“Please look out for your elderly relatives and neighbours, who may be the next to be targeted by these unscrupulous cold-callers.”
Never pay any money up front
Wrexham Trading Standards always advise never to go ahead and have work done immediately on the doorstep and never pay any money up front.
You should always try to obtain a number of quotes from reputable traders before going ahead with any work.
Reputable traders will always be happy to give you time to decide whether to go ahead with the work.
Remember…
- For a purchase of £42 or more at home, you must be given a written notice setting out your legal entitlement to a 14-day cooling-off period. If a trader is able to start work immediately and asks you to waive your rights, that should set alarm bells ringing.
- If you ask a trader to leave your property and they refuse to leave, this is a criminal offence. Contact the police and Trading Standards immediately.
- If you see anyone acting suspiciously or if you’ve been the victim of a rogue trader, then contact the Citizens Advice Consumer Service on 03454 04 05 06 / Welsh language line 03454 04 05 05.
- If you’re concerned about traders working or leaf-letting in your neighbourhood, contact your local policing team through 101.
- If a trader becomes abusive or you feel threatened contact the police on 999.
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July 25, 2017
Mother Goose’s commitment to her little ones
A big shout out to Mother Goose Day Nursery in Penley, which has received a fantastic award from the Welsh Government no less.
Their commitment to ensuring the health of their little ones –
including nutrition, oral health, physical activity, play, mental and emotional health, wellbeing and relationships – has earned them the Health and Sustainable Pre-School Scheme award.
They’ve also been awarded the Tiny Tums Award in recognition of the food that they prepare and serve.
The nursery has a brilliant outdoor space for children to play and learn, as well as high standards for safety and hygiene.
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A member of our staff – Nerys Bennion, Healthy Pre-Schools Officer – has been helping them all the way towards getting this award.
“…general well-being of children and staff is at the forefront…”
Nerys said: “Mother Goose Day Nursery has shown that the general health and well-being of children and staff is at the forefront of the setting.
“The environment is lovely…both indoors and outdoors. They embrace all initiatives that can help to influence practice in the nursery and make the experience for staff and children extra special.
“I am sure they will continue to promote a healthy and happy environment for the children that pass through their care in the future.”
Cllr Phil Wynn, Lead Member for Education, said: “Congratulations to all concerned with this very well deserved award. Well done everyone.”
Michelle Jones, manager of Mother Goose said:
“We would like to thank Nerys for supporting us with this scheme.
“We are very proud to have completed this initiative, which supports our good practice at Mother Goose Nursery.”
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July 25, 2017
What we do, and the difference it makes
We’ve recently published our annual Director of Social Services Report, which looks at how well our services in Wrexham are performing…and how we’ve worked with partners and local people.
It also sets out our plans for the future and how these are based on what you’ve told us you need.
As we now have fewer resources but growing demand, we have to think differently about how we provide services and we’ll continue to work closely with partners, families and individuals to promote well-being.
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Cllr Joan Lowe, Lead Member for Health and Adult Social Care, said:
“The report is a very easy read and I am pleased that staff are able to rise to the challenge of providing services with less resources.
“Their dedication and commitment to care is to be commended, and I would like to thank everyone for their continued support to those who are the most vulnerable amongst us.”
These are some of the things we hope to be able to do in the coming 12 months.
- Continue to develop our Welsh language services to meet our Welsh Language Standards.
- Make our care and support plans for young people more outcome-focused and monitor whether the personal outcomes agreed are being achieved.
- Continue to develop our support to people in their own homes to promote independence.
- Set up a Safeguarding team in Adult Social Care.
- Expand Community Agents to cover the whole of the borough.
- Look to utilise grant funding to combat homelessness for care leavers in Wrexham.
You can take a look at the Annual Director of Social Services Report here.
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July 25, 2017
It’s the final night of Music in the Park 2017…catch it before it’s gone!
The final act for the 2017 season of Music in the Park at Bellevue Park is Wall St Krash.
All eyes will be on the popular local band for the final night of this astonishing set of shows.
And they’ll take you into the past and help you remember all of the times you spent dancing to the songs of your childhood in your bedroom!
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It’s your last chance to gather your friends, family and food and come down to the Edwardian bandstand in the award-winning Bellevue Park before 7pm on Friday, July 28 for an incredible evening of music.
Want to dance? We have no problem with that! 🙂
Take a few photos to remember the evening and to show your friends who couldn’t make it.
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July 24, 2017